Letters on Ethics

The Roman statesman and philosopher Seneca (4 BCE-65 CE) made innovative use of the letter format to record both his moral philosophy and his personal experiences. In Letters on Ethics, rich descriptions of city and country life in Nero's Italy mix with discussions of Roman poetry and oratory and with personal advice to Seneca's friend Lucilius. The first complete English translation of this work in nearly a century, Letters on Ethics presents Seneca's fascinating reflections on daily life, education, and philosophical thought at Rome and elucidates these topics for modern readers. Written as much for a general audience as for Lucilius, these engaging letters offer advice on how to deal with everything from nosy neighbors to sickness, pain, and death. Above all, Seneca uses the relaxed form of the letter to introduce many major issues in Stoicism, for centuries the most influential philosophical system in the Mediterranean world. His lively and at times humorous explanations have made the Letters his most popular work and an enduring classic. Featuring an astute introduction and explanatory notes, this new edition by Margaret Graver and A. A.
Long resituates the Letters on Ethics in the front ranks of world literature.